The best way to take in the rich history and culture of Hoi An Ancient Town is to explore the neighborhood by foot. I have been to Hoi An two times and found there no need to book a guided…
Top 25 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
At the mouth of the Thu Bon River sits the town of Hoi An. Since the first century the city and its adjacent estuary has served as a central port along important trade routes. lt grew in scale and significance…
Top 10 Things to Do in Osaka, Japan
Osaka is located roughly at the center of the Japanese archipelago making it an ideal stop along any travelers’ path. Yet, it is often under appreciated by tourists who spend more time in the nearby ancient capital of Kyoto. Historically,…
Tokyo Rush: Why a 6 Hour Day Trip From Narita Airport is a Bad Idea
Originally, I had just over a ten hour layover in Tokyo (Narita International Airport) before my final leg back to New York City and the conclusion of my 2015 summer vacation. Unfortunately, a series of thunderstorms in Hanoi, Vietnam kept…
Haggling the World’s Markets: 10 Steps to Save Money & Negotiate for the Best Price
Think of negotiating like a dance. Someone has to lead. Will it be you or your competitor? In any negation the person who dictates the situation is in a greater position of control. More often than not they will come…
Teacher Trekker’s Top 10 Annoying Problems You May Experience in Vietnam
Imagine it is your first day in Vietnam. You just arrived at your hotel. You’re hungry and decide to eat. You go to a small food stand that doubles as a restaurant in the market. After you finish your meal,…
The Top 15 Scams, Schemes & Solicitations in Vietnam
One of the first questions people ask me about Vietnam is, “is it safe?” Personally, I have never felt that physically threatened or at risk for my life at any point while I traveled throughout the country. It’s not one…
Exploring the Ethnic Enclaves of Singapore
In many ways Singapore can be viewed as a microcosm of Asia. As you make your way around the tiny island country, you will encounter a number of neighborhoods that embody the culture and cuisine of the ethnic minorities that…
5 Ways to Do Singapore on the Cheap
To put it simply I found Singapore to be extremely expensive and ranks as the most unnecessarily overpriced country on the planet I’ve visited thus far. There is a silver lining. Savvy travelers can save money a number of ways…
Quick Guide to Saving Money in Singapore
I thought my experience growing up and later living in New York City made me familiar with inflated costs and the high prices found in one of the most prominent metropolitan centers on the planet. Then I visited Singapore. It…